He said: "My dog Betsy was barking like mad so I looked out the window and couldn't believe my eyes."

(Photo: SWNS)

"It was like a scene out of Independence Day. Germany had just scored again but I didn't care, I just had to run upstairs and get a better look. I've never seen anything like it."

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "This is a bank of stratocumulus cloud which has been highlighted by the contrast in light between the setting sun illuminating one side, and the showers behind the cloud.

"This is a totally normal cloud formation but has been made to look more dramatic by the light."